1 A Psalm of David, in his being in the wilderness of Judah. O God, Thou `art' my God, earnestly do I seek Thee, Thirsted for Thee hath my soul, Longed for Thee hath my flesh, In a land dry and weary, without waters.
2 So in the sanctuary I have seen Thee, To behold Thy strength and Thine honour.
3 Because better `is' Thy kindness than life, My lips do praise Thee.
4 So I bless Thee in my life, in Thy name I lift up my hands.
5 As `with' milk and fatness is my soul satisfied, And `with' singing lips doth my mouth praise.
6 If I have remembered Thee on my couch, In the watches -- I meditate on Thee.
7 For Thou hast been a help to me, And in the shadow of Thy wings I sing.
8 Cleaved hath my soul after Thee, On me hath Thy right hand taken hold.
9 And they who for desolation seek my soul, Go in to the lower parts of the earth.
10 They cause him to run on the edge of the sword, A portion for foxes they are.
11 And the king doth rejoice in God, Boast himself doth every one swearing by Him, But stopped is the mouth of those speaking lies!
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Commentary on Psalms 63 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 63
Ps 63:1-11. The historical occasion referred to by the title was probably during Absalom's rebellion (compare 2Sa 15:23, 28; 16:2). David expresses an earnest desire for God's favor, and a confident expectation of realizing it in his deliverance and the ruin of his enemies.
1. early … seek thee—earnestly (Isa 26:9). The figurative terms—
dry and thirsty—literally, "weary," denoting moral destitution, suited his outward circumstances.
soul—and—flesh—the whole man (Ps 16:9, 10).
2. The special object of desire was God's perfections as displayed in his worship (Ps 27:4).
3. Experiencing God's mercy, which exceeds all the blessings of life, his lips will be opened for his praise (Ps 51:15).
4. Thus—literally, "Truly."
will I bless—praise Thee (Ps 34:1).
lift up my hands—in worship (compare Ps 28:2).
in thy name—in praise of Thy perfections.
5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
6. night—as well as day. Past favors assure him of future, and hence he presses earnestly near to God, whose power sustains him (Ps 17:8; 60:5).
9, 10. those … to destroy it—or literally, "to ruin," or, "for ruin"; that is, such as seek to injure me (are) for ruin, appointed to it (compare Ps 35:8).
shall go … earth—into the grave, or, to death; as their bodies are represented as a portion for—
10. foxes—literally, "jackals."
11. the king—that is, David himself, and all who reverence God, "shall share a glorious part," while treacherous foes shall be for ever silenced (Ps 62:4).